WESSEX LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
SATURDAY 11TH FEBRUARY 2023
VERWOOD TOWN 1 NEWPORT 3

A couple of absences meant formation changes but it was still a good squad to host promotion hopefuls Newport.

We expected an early onslaught and Newport didn’t let us down. Kerr took the ball off toes on the edge of our area with only a minute gone and then Carswell rooted at centre half won a couple of headers as the visitors did all they could to grab an early lead.

Fishlock produced an eye catching bit of ball control when robbing an attacker in the middle of the park and sparking a run down our right by Mason. Cutting inside, Mason let in Storey and an intelligent through ball allowed a McWilliams shot. The ball whipped over the bar.

10 minutes gone and we were treated to another spectacular McWilliams ‘dipper’. The keeper had strayed a bit and McWilliams put the ball over his head and into the net. 1-0.

We then gave away a leveller with sloppy defending so on 15 minutes we had a 1-1 score line.

The game didn’t reflect the gap in the league table between the sides. Good football carved openings in Newport defensive set up but conversely we allowed Newport a lot of time on the ball. With only a couple of minutes left of the half a Newport corner was allowed to drop 6 yards off the line and a snap shot sent Newport in at half time 2-1 ahead.

Half Time 1-2

Newport upped their pace in the second half and we capably dealt with a flurry of attacks.

Storey and Fishlock worked hard in the middle leaving Newport punting the ball down flanks. Broad and Matthews proved it was a fruitless ploy.

Phillips was busy. Balls lofted into the box were his. A couple of angled deliveries easily taken.

We countered. Joe Smith gave Newport’s centre backs a torrid time and Mason’s runs caused them a lot of concern.

Storey earned a yellow because of a couple of strong tackles and Joe Smith earned a ‘talking to’ as we went for broke.

We wilted for a while and Phillips came into his own again with some excellent handling,

Towards the end we went close with a header from Carswell, a looping shot from Farndell and a McWilliams blaster but failed to beat the keeper.

We got caught pushing too far upfield with 3 minutes left . A break down their left, a deep cross and a runner’s tap in closed the scoring.

Result. 1-3.